TIGUrS Call for Volunteers!

The TIGUrS (Tigers Initiative for Gardens in Urban Settings) would love for volunteers to join us on October 23 to help plant our fall crops.

We will start at 8:30 in the morning. We will have garden implements, seeds, and refreshments. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the people who have donated their time and enthusiasm over the summer and we hope that we will see all of our garden friends on Friday, October 23rd.

If you have questions, please contact Karyl Buddington at kbudding@memphis.edu.

Just east of the U of M's Elma Roane Fieldhouse, where tennis courts once dominated the landscape, organic gardens are producing herbs, flowers and vegetables. The corn has tasseled out, and ears have perked up, blossoms have produced squash and vines tied to bamboo stakes are hanging with tomatoes.

The area, dubbed "The Oasis," is part of the Tiger Initiative for Gardening in Urban Settings (TIGUrS) pilot project, and educational idea spawned by Dr. Karyl Buddington, director of the campus Animal Care Facilities. Volunteers moved cinder blocks to create the raised gardens, spread compost, dug holes and dropped in plants.

All 47 gardens were planted in just two days. Other crops, which are free to those wanting to harvest them, include sunflowers, green beans, peppers, eggplant, okra, basil and parsley.

The project, dubbed the Tiger Initiative for Gardening in Urban Settings (TIGUrS), resulted in herbs, vegetables, fruit trees and various plants being planted on the U of M campus.

Volunteers began building the first garden in April in the field between the Elma Roane Fieldhouse and Zach Curlin.

Volunteers from several departments and offices on campus were provided with gloves and other gardening tools.

Visit the TIGUrS GARDEN

If you are interested in volunteering for other TIGUrS projects, contact Karyl Buddington at 678-2359 or kbudding@memphis.edu. | Learn more here.